Banten governor gets two years for corruption
Banten governor gets two years for corruption
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Suspended Banten Governor Djoko Munandar was sentenced to two
years' jail on Wednesday for misuse of 2003 provincial budget
funds while speaker of the legislature there.
Djoko is the second provincial head after former Aceh governor
Abdullah Puteh to receive a prison sentence for graft in office.
Puteh got 10 years after being found guilty of illegally marking
up the price of a Russian helicopter bought by his administration
in 2000.
The Serang District Court convicted Djoko of stealing Rp 14
billion (US$1.42 million) from the provincial budget allocated
for contingency funds to enrich 75 councilors in the 2001-2004
period, Antara reported.
"The primary charges of committing graft to enrich himself is
not proven, but Djoko did issue a decree to disburse the
contingency fund for the Banten councillors," presiding judge
Husni Rizal said in the verdict.
Djoko was also fined Rp 100 million and will have his jail
term extended by three months if he fails to pay.
Prosecutors had demanded four years' imprisonment and a Rp 300
million fine for the governor.
The panel of judges found the embezzled money did not go to
Djoko. However, they ruled his letter of approval for the
contingency fund disbursement for other purposes had violated
Government Regulation No. 105/2000 on Regional Finance
Management.
The case is centered around the misuse of the provincial
budget. As the provincial legislature speaker, Djoko took some Rp
3.5 billion to cover "expenses" for the councillors who debated
the 2003 draft budget and another Rp 10.5 billion to illegally
finance the construction of houses for 75 councillors.
Contingency funds are commonly disbursed in times of natural
disaster.
Four former and current deputy legislature speakers are also
standing trial in the same case for endorsing Djoko's decision to
misappropriate the contingency funds.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono suspended Djoko
indefinitely on Oct. 10 to facilitate the prosecution case
against the governor, who took office only last year. The
President named deputy governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah to take over
Djoko's administrative duties.
Since assuming power in October 2004, Susilo has issued
permits to enable the prosecution of some 40 regional heads who
are implicated in corruption cases. The antigraft drive has
also affected the judiciary, with investigations of officials
continuing to the Supreme Court level.
Judge Husni said the jail sentence was handed down to Djoko
not only because he had caused state losses but also because he
tarnished the image of public office.
Djoko looked confused upon hearing the verdict that acquitted
him from the primary charge but sent him to jail on the secondary
one.
After consulting his lawyer, Henry Yosodiningrat, the
defendant said he understood the verdict and planned to contest
it at a higher court.
In Indonesia verdicts delivered by lower courts are not
legally binding and can be appealed up to the Supreme Court.